Frequently Asked Questions

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Q:

What is SHHE?

A:

The Sacred Heart Home Educators (SHHE) is an association of Roman Catholic families in the state of Arizona loyal to the Holy Father and the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It is dedicated to inspiring, guiding, and encouraging families striving to live authentic Catholic lives through home education. It provides member families the opportunity to participate in various group activities as a means to this end.

It is an independent group of lay Catholics with no formal affiliation with the Diocese of Phoenix.

Is is an association of the lay faithful whose works are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Q:

What events are available for members of SHHE?

A:

We have many annual events available for SHHE members! See this list for a description of each. In addition we have park days, Mom's Night Out, and more! Check the calendar for a list of what's coming up soon.

Q:

What is Safe Environment Training (SET) and why do I need it to join SHHE?

A:

Safe Environment Training is training required of all volunteers working within the Diocese of Phoenix. SHHE requires that one parent from each family have current Safe Environment Training. Click here for more details.

Q:

What are the Benefits for Parents?

A:

Evangelize their children in the Faith providing both catechesis in doctrine and the development of an active spiritual and moral life based upon the sacraments, daily prayer, and good works.

Provide their children with a challenging academic education in the liberal arts and sciences reflected in the light of Catholic teaching and perspective.

Individualize curriculum to meet the needs and goals of each child.

Personally direct and share in the intellectual, spiritual, moral and emotional growth and development of their children.

Fulfill the role of the family as the domestic church and predominant socializing agent of children into an authentic Catholic living of the Faith.

Protect their children from influences they deem harmful to the child's body, mind, or soul.

Provide a loving environment which affirms the individuality of each child, who is made in the image and likeness of God, and which promotes the practice of virtue on a daily basis.

To model for our children the peace and joy that comes from service, patience, perseverance, and hard work when it is consecrated to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother

Q:

Does the Church Support Homeschooling?

A:

The Church has always affirmed the primary right and duty of parents to educate their children. The new Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental." (#2229)

The Charter Rights of the Family issued by the Vatican in 1983 makes this statement: "Since they have conferred life on their children, parents have the original, primary and inalienable right to educate them; hence they must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children."

Additional documentation of the Church's consistent support and recognition of parental rights with regard to the education of children can be found in the documents of Vatican II and numerous papal encyclicals.

Q:

Is Home Education Legal?

A:

Yes. Every homeschooling family must contact the County Superintendent of Schools and request a registration form for each home educated child six years of age and older. The parents must fill out the form, have it notarized, and return it to the County Superintendent's office via U.S. mail. This form must be filled out only once for each child. No annual tests are required; however, should you choose to put your child in the public school system, a standardized test will be required prior to admittance.

There are no certification requirements for parents.

For more information on AZ Homeschool Law, and to download the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool visit the AFHE website.

Every homeschooling family must contact the County Superintendent of Schools and request a registration form for each home educated child six years of age and older. The parents must fill out the form, have it notarized, and return it to the County Superintendent's office via U.S. mail. This form must be filled out only once for each child. No annual tests are required; however, should you choose to put your child in the public school system, a standardized test will be required prior to admittance.

There are no certification requirements for parents.

For more information on AZ Homeschool Law, and to download the Affidavit of Intent to Homeschool visit the AFHE website.

Q:

How Will Homeschooling Affect Our Family Life?

A:

By catechizing their children, parents usually find that their own faith is renewed and deepened. Parents often reflect that homeschooling helps them to aspire more fervently in the acquisition of virtue since they cannot expect from their children that which they themselves do not practice. Patience, self-discipline, charity, etc. are suddenly practical necessities.

Because home education encourages parents to talk with their children about the important issues of life, the parent-child bond is strengthened. This is an especially crucial advantage during the teen years.

Children and parents begin to work together in managing domestic tasks which develops a spirit of cooperation. The children become responsible, independent, and confident in their abilities to care for themselves and their environment. They see themselves as vital, contributing members of the family.

Q:

How Do I Know What to Teach?

A:

There are packaged curricula that come complete with tests, answer keys, lesson plans, and technical support via telephone. You can build your own curriculum, co-op classes with other families, hire tutors when necessary, or even utilize the community colleges for high school students. Your resources are only limited by your imagination.

Q:

How Do I Choose a Curriculum?

A:

Before you can choose a curriculum, it is important to define your family's education goals.

Parents can choose from among complete curriculum programs, guided curriculum programs, unit studies, or an eclectic program they design themselves.

Guided programs offer either a suggested curriculum or help in designing a curriculum, and may or may not offer lesson plans and texts. Both of these options provide a certainty that all essential material is being covered an assures continuity from year to year. Parents need be aware, however, even complete programs may have to be modified and adapted for an individual child.

Unit studies tend to start with a theme and then explore the theme selected through history, literature, science, geography, art, etc. They are generally done in co-ops with other families.

The eclectic approach allows the parents to put together their own curriculum by choosing materials for the child based upon an appropriate scope and sequence for the child's grade level. This offers the greatest flexibility, but requires a greater knowledge of the resources and materials available, and extra time for making lesson plans.

Parents frequently choose one curriculum approach and change to another in the following years as circumstances change, and as they begin to know themselves and their children's needs better.

Upon enrollment in SHHE, you will have access to a community full of veteran homeschoolers willing to share their insights and experiences.

Q:

What About Socialization?

A:

Since home educated children are not restricted to socializing with children only on their grade level, they can more readily appreciate and relate to people of all ages which more closely reflects the society in which they live.

Home educated children have ample time to develop relationships and interests outside of the home in other activities such as sports, music, volunteer work, etc. In addition, SHHE currently has over 130 member families many of whom come together for: Opening Mass and Pot-Luck Supper, First Friday Masses, monthly Park Days and field trips, P.E., Speechmasters, All Saints Party, Christmas Play, Science Fair, Art Fair, May crowning, and more.

The family knows and understands the personality and social needs of each child, and is, therefore, better able to guide the child in overcoming his faults and weaknesses while developing his strengths. This is accomplished in the child's own time.

Q:

Do Colleges Accept Home Educated Children?

A:

Absolutely! Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and the U.S. Naval Academy to name a few of the secular schools. The University of Dallas, Thomas Aquinas College, Ignatius Institute at USF, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Magdalen, and Christendom college to name a few of the Catholic colleges. They rely on student portfolios, SAT scores, and personal interviews. Scholarships are regularly awarded to home educated students.

Q:

Help! I forgot my username! I forgot my password! How can I log in?

A:

The fastest way to get logged in (if you don't have your info) is to look directly beneath where you would enter the forgotten information. The website has tools to help you reclaim your username and change your password. See the section circled in blue below. If you have forgotten both your username AND your password, get your username first; you will need it to reset your password.